"While the system would never be able to forecast an earthquake, it could detect quakes and notify people within seconds before seismic waves actually hit them," said a China Earthquake Administration official.

He added that within five years, a national earthquake monitoring and warning system will be developed.

Timely warnings may effectively reduce casualties and economic losses resulting from earthquakes, official said to state-run news agency Xinhua.

"The project has been filed with the country's top economic planner for approval and includes the establishment of some 5,000 stations across the country with 2 billion yuan (about USD 320.4 million) funds," he said.

He added that a trial programme with nearly 100 monitoring stations is currently being carried out in southeast China's Fujian Province.